Levine: Sale May Begin Rehab Next Thursday

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Starting pitcher Chris Sale #49 of the Chicago White Sox delivers during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on April 17, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)

Chris Sale. (Getty Images)

By Bruce Levine-

U.S. CELLULAR FIELD (CBS) — White Sox ace Chris Sale may be sent out on a rehab start on Thursday. Sale has been on the DL since April 18, with a forearm strain.

The 25-year-old pitcher threw a simulated game on Saturday and pronounced himself ready to pitch.

“The first inning Coop said take it a little easier than normal. I would say the last two innings I gave everything I got, all out, “Sale said. “It felt good.”

Sale was injured after 127 pitches against Boston on April 17. The White Sox have been very cautious with Sale and have held him back in order to protect him from re-injury.

“There will have to be a meeting,” said Sale. “We are going to have talk about this. I would think the next step will be a rehab start.”

Sale is anxious to get back with his teammates on the field.

“I just assume go and pitch against whoever we pitch against in five days,” he said. “That is not quite how it works. I am not sure what we are going to do, but whatever it is I am game for whatever.”

Sale signed a five-year, $32 million contract with two option years in March of 2013. He has a 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA in 2014. He has a career 35-25 with a 2.93 ERA.

Bruce Levine

Bruce Levine covers both the Cubs and the White Sox for CBSChicago.com and 670 The Score. He has been covering baseball in Chicago for more than 30 years and has written for both the Chicago Sun-Times and Sporting News.
Bruce co-hosts "Inside Th...